Storiascopio · Era 5 of 12 · primary year 5
The reforms of Solon
about 594 BC · Athens (Greece)
In short
In Athens many poor farmers had ended up as slaves because they could not pay their debts. The wise Solon, chosen as archon, a chief official, cancelled those debts and banned enslaving people who could not pay back a loan. He then divided citizens into four classes according to wealth, no longer just according to birth. He also wrote poems to explain his laws.
Why it matters His reforms were Athens' first step towards democracy.
Source: Encyclopaedia Britannica, “Solon”
Where we are in the era “Ancient Greece”
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about 800 BCEvent 6 of 25about 100 BC
Your turn
Name ______________________ Class ______ Date __________
When did it happen? Find the date at the top and write it here:
Tell it in your own words: what happened?
Draw the scene below.
storiascopio.com/en/event/the-reforms-of-solon/ · free worksheet, you may photocopy it for your class